cloisterous
marvel at the me-ness of me
the same but different as
the me-ness of you
trapped in husks that move speak defecate
half our experience is imagined
the other two thirds a
misapprehension of the need
for a wholesale spiritual
retreat into
urban hermitage
secret opossum
playing at dead
glimpses
unquiet mind
internal hoops
jump roll cartwheel
unafraid of unpleasant truths
in the event of inclement weather
mud pies puddlestomp
face to the sky
dancing happens one
step at a time
drought
all thunderclouds
lightning no rain
just the tiny echo tap tap
faucet
itch that breaks the silence
herbs unguents chants rituals
gourd rattle shaken in ripe circles
but the heavens do not open
forcing choices
pray wait migrate
at home everywhere
arcana
faded pocked mercury glass
silvered reflection self distorted
look over shoulder
phantom thoughts wisp of smoke
life
like writing slice the fat
leaner words learning
teaching tighter meaning
to aging skin
maturity regressing childlike simplicity
like coming home but everywhere
joy forgotten joy returns
sought without seeking
grasped without effort
end of rainbow around the corner
a different kind of golden waiting
science and religion lie
it's all magic
lobotomy
hollow cave echo
distant water droplet
slow drum in the pitch once
the place where meaning
primped and prettied flowed
with blood and breath
those devices that language
that time all gone
my words have become
precisely bland my concerns
mundane my laugh
artless
fortunate misfortune
has broken my fingers
now i cannot
point the way
turnings
dancing words around the I as if
the words weren't my reality
expressive dreams regrets
disappointment uncertainty
words are a ritualized booted
stomp in the dust that says
I am and I am nothing
rolled into one
all nature of simultaneous extremes
words are a chorus of dischord
drumbeats and bells
translated processed
eyelids propped open with toothpicks
22 lashes with rose canes
droplets for the bats to suckle
words are the valve relieving the pressure
so I can evolve to love what is
right now
aphorism
chaotic peace
stiff starch itchy robes
shaved head prostrate
novitiate
tomb-cold stone floor
exhale visible ice crystals
bloodied knees
bloodied knuckles
bow scrape to the music
the fire
inner blackness that writhes
and twists
and wrestles with the light
always a draw
certitude
a terrible beauty
is the storm dancing
on the horizon
in the detour years
the best words smelled
of cheap cabernet
soaked in self pity
retrospect
the urge to regret
unfortunate choices
self laid snares
such relief
to just stand upright
in non-judgement
and loving purpose
squalls will be bygones
every now
is the perfect moment
“Forget safety.
Live where you fear to live.
Destroy your reputation.
Be notorious.”
Rumi
effect
play with numbers
paint with sound
taste the color of the words
that slide off your tongue
tickle-pierce your
co-conversant's gray matter
think of a flesh-bag a salty sea
walking yes a vessel of skin needs
navigational senses
the science of place can't be examined
without the proper tools
gathered data requires process
consciousness is function
mathematical electrical chemical
the universe knows itself only
through the touch-talk
of temporary identities
that do and do
not exist
simultaneously
